Graduation AND COMMENCEMENT

All academic requirements and financial obligations must be satisfied to participate in the ceremony. Name recognition in the commencement program does not guarantee degree completion. 

Students must successfully complete ALL classes toward their respective degree for academic requirements including the payment of ALL money owed to the College by the end of the semester in which they are graduating to participate in the Commencement ceremony, receive an official transcript, or be issued a diploma.

Candidates receiving a certificate of general studies, certificate of technical studies, technical diploma, or associate degree may participate in the ceremony. Candidates receiving a career and technical certificate (CTC) are eligible to participate if the declared program of study is Nurse Assistant, Electrocardiograph Technician, or Medical Clinical Assistant.

Candid Campus Photography will take pictures of each graduate with the Chancellor as he or she crosses the stage. You may order pictures directly from the photographer. You can complete the information form at Grad Day. Information forms will be available for graduates to complete before the ceremony as well.

After the platform party and faculty have exited the platform, the Faculty Line Leaders will signal when graduates should begin the recessional. Each row will follow the proceeding row.

To assist us in providing arrangements for graduates or guests of graduates with special needs, please contact Student Affairs at least 5 business days prior to the ceremony.

All students will wear regalia. The appropriate cap for graduates is the familiar blue“mortarboard.” The mortarboard is worn straight on the head with the point of the cap in the center of the forehead. The tassel should hang to the right of the face.

• For gentlemen, it is recommended that clothing worn under the gown consist of dress shirt, tie, and dark colored dress pants.
• For ladies, it is recommended that clothing worn under the gown consist of dark colored dresses or dark colored pantsuits. Dark-colored dress shoes are to be worn as the cap and gown will be blue.
• Flip-flop type shoes, tennis shoes and work boots are not allowed. Backless shoes are not recommended as you will be walking up steps to receive your award.
• Earrings should be modest in length; necklaces, chains, pendants, etc. should be worn under the gown.
• Jeans or Capri pants (which are longer in length than the gown) are not allowed. 
• If your gown is wrinkled, it is suggested that you steam your gown the day before the ceremony.
• Personal items such as purses and cell phone are not allowed in the arena, and should be left with a family member or in a locked vehicle.
• Graduates may personalize their caps. Designs are expected to be appropriate, respectful, and in keeping with the dignity of the ceremony.

• Graduates are asked to refrain from decorating tassels or stoles to ensure those awarded for distinction are properly recognized.

Academic honors are awarded to degree and terminal certificate candidates who have maintained a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 and above in their program of study and have earned the required semester credit hours toward a degree at Fletcher Technical Community College. Students who graduate from Fletcher with an overall grade point average (GPA) within the ranges listed below are recognized with the appropriate honors at graduation. All honor graduates will wear an honor cord at graduation. Honor cords will be distributed on Commencement Day immediately before the ceremony. Honors are recognized as follows:

• Chancellor’s Honors: 3.8 to 4.0, Silver cord
• Dean’s Honors: 3.50 to 3.79, Navy and silver cord

Note: Fletcher must have official transcripts or documentation for all credit used to satisfy program requirements. Developmental courses are not included in the calculation of grade point averages for honors.

Family and friends will not be permitted to enter the graduates’ assembly area. Staff members will be available to direct family and friends to seating areas. All guests must be seated 15 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony and before the doors close, as they will not be opened while the academic procession is in progress.

You have achieved a significant milestone that warrants excitement and we want you to enjoy your day. Please remember, however, that this is an academic ceremony of dignity. Families are encouraged to applaud graduates as they receive diplomas. Your enthusiasm and excitement is warranted; however, the use of air horns or other artificial noisemakers is not permissible. Balloons, posters, air horns or other party material will not be allowed in the arena.

Diplomas are inscribed with the College name, degree title, graduate’s name, and date of award. Your name will appear on your degree/diploma as it appears in LoLA. Name corrections should be submitted and processed by May 1. Fletcher has partnered with Parchment Award to deliver electronic and physical certificates and diplomas. Diplomas will be printed within 5-7 weeks after commencement. Graduates will receive an email from Parchment after commencement for address verification. Please look for this email, as you will have three days to verify your shipping address. Your certificate or diploma will be mailed to you directly from Parchment Award.